Our vision is to ensure children, young people and families reach their full potential and shape their own futures in a safe and creative environment

Geoffrey Davison OBE

Geoffrey Davison OBE, Co-Founder of Break has died

Break is very sad to annouce the death of our Co-Founder, Geoffrey Davison OBE on 27 April, aged 79.

Geoffrey and Judith Davison and their great friend Leslie Morley were in their 20’s when they volunteered to take disabled and disadvantaged children on holiday to Norfolk in the early 60’s.

From their volunteering they decided to start their own charity in 1968 - Break - to provide breaks for vulnerable children, young people and adults; they started in Sheringham and Hunstanton with the holiday centres Rainbow and Sandcastle.

Geoffrey and Judith’s vision was to give families a break from 24/7 caring for a challenging young person or young adult and to give that person a great holiday….and they did! They also courted a string of celebrities and launched many campaigns including “Have a Break have a Kit Kat” and the Magpie children’s TV programme, raising valuable funds to grow their dream.

Today, because of the founder’s foresight, Break has grown and diversified keeping Geoffrey’s ethos of supporting the most vulnerable young people and families in East Anglia. Break provides children’s homes and moving on support to young adults, short breaks for children with disabilities, support to families in the community and cares for children at risk.

Geoffrey was awarded the OBE in 2012.

Hilary Richards, Break CEO said: “I am fortunate that I personally know all three of Break’s founders and have the utmost respect for them and the organisation that they have created. I consider myself privileged to be leading this organisation forward and that the charity remains true to the founding ethos and values of Geoffrey, Judith and Leslie. Geoffrey was an amazing man and dedicated his life to enhancing the life prospects of those less fortunate than himself; “Mr D” will be very much missed.”